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Recommended Linux distros: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Tuxschoice.png|frameless|right]]
A '''[[wikipedia:Linux distribution|Linux distribution]]''' (commonly called a '''distro''') is a complete operating system built around the Linux kernel. It typically includes system software, libraries, a package manager, and various applications. Distributions vary in purpose, design, and target users, offering different default desktop environments, package formats, and system tools.
A '''[[wikipedia:Linux distribution|Linux distribution]]''' (commonly called a '''distro''') is a complete operating system built around the Linux kernel. It typically includes system software, libraries, a package manager, and various applications. Distributions vary in purpose, design, and target users, offering different default desktop environments, package formats, and system tools.


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;Gaming‑focused distributions
;Gaming‑focused distributions
:These distros are crafted to be an all‑in‑one gaming platform. They ship with graphics drivers, Steam, and many popular launchers pre‑installed, and they provide straightforward ways to add emulators.
:These distros are crafted to be an all‑in‑one gaming platform. They ship with graphics drivers, Steam, and many popular launchers pre‑installed, and they provide straightforward ways to add emulators.
:A handy way to get started with emulation on any of these is to run '''[https://www.emudeck.com/ EmuDeck]''', an installation script that sets up a complete suite of console emulators.
:A handy way to get started with emulation on any of these is to run '''[https://www.emudeck.com/ EmuDeck]''', an installation script that sets up a complete suite of console emulators.
:For a side‑by‑side feature comparison of several gaming‑focused distros, check the '''[https://github.com/ChimeraOS/chimeraos/wiki/OS-Comparison ChimeraOS OS‑Comparison page]'''.


;Emulation‑centric distributions
;Emulation‑centric distributions
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:See the [[Emulators on Linux]] article for more details and installation tips.
:See the [[Emulators on Linux]] article for more details and installation tips.


==Linux distributions==
==Linux distributions ==


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
!Name
! scope="col"|Latest version
!Latest version
! scope="col"|Architecture
!Architecture
! scope="col"|Based on
!Based on
! scope="col"|Desktop Environment
!Desktop Environment  
! scope="col"|Active
!Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
![[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
! colspan="7"|General‑purpose
! colspan="7"|General‑purpose
|-
|-
|[https://ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu]<br/><small>and its flavors</small>
|[https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops/ Fedora Atomic]
|[https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop 24.04 LTS] (Desktop)<br/>[https://ubuntu.com/desktop/flavours Other flavors]
|[https://fedoraproject.org/#editions Fedora 44]
|x86,ARM
|Fedora
|GNOME,KDE Plasma, Sway,Budgie,COSMIC
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|-
|[https://fedoraproject.org/ Fedora] and its [https://fedoraproject.org/spins/ Spins]
|[https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops Fedora 44]
|x86, ARM<br><small>and many others</small>
|Independent
|'''''Fedora'''''(GNOME,    KDE Plasma)
'''''Spins'''''(Xfce,Cinnamon, MATE,i3,LXQt,LXDE, SOAS, Sway,    Budgie, Miracle,    KDE Mobile,COSMIC)
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|-
|[https://ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu]<br><small>and its flavors</small>
|[https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop 24.04 LTS] (Desktop)<br>[https://ubuntu.com/desktop/flavours Other flavors]
|x86, ARM
|x86, ARM
|Debian
|Debian
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|-
|-
|[https://pop.system76.com/ Pop!_OS]
|[https://pop.system76.com/ Pop!_OS]
|[https://pop.system76.com/ 24.04 LTS Beta]
|[https://pop.system76.com/ 24.04 LTS]
|x86<br/><small>ARM (preview)</small>
|x86<br><small>ARM (preview)</small>
|Ubuntu
|Ubuntu
|COSMIC
|COSMIC
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|Debian
|Debian
|PIXEL
|PIXEL
|{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|{{✓}} ||{{~}}<ref group="a" name="source-a">These distributions are recommended but only for their intended hardware and/or specific niche use cases.</ref>
|-
|-
! colspan="7"|Experienced‑user
! colspan="7"|Experienced‑user
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|[https://archlinux.org/ Arch Linux]
|[https://archlinux.org/ Arch Linux]
|[https://archlinux.org/download/ Latest]
|[https://archlinux.org/download/ Latest]
|x86<br/><small>ARM and others unofficially</small>
|x86<br><small>ARM and others unofficially</small>
|Independent
|Independent
|Any
|Any
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|-
|-
|[https://cachyos.org/ CachyOS]<br/>
|[https://cachyos.org/ CachyOS]<br>
|[https://cachyos.org/download/ 25.x.x.] (Desktop)<br/>
|[https://cachyos.org/download/ 25.x.x.] (Desktop)<br>
|x86
|x86
|Arch Linux
|Arch Linux
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|[https://www.debian.org/ Debian]
|[https://www.debian.org/ Debian]
|[https://www.debian.org/ 12.5]
|[https://www.debian.org/ 12.5]
|x86, ARM<br/><small>and many others</small>
|x86, ARM<br><small>and many others</small>
|Independent
|GNOME (and others)
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|-
|[https://fedoraproject.org/ Fedora]<br/><small>Fedora Atomic</small>
|41<br/>[https://fedoraproject.org/workstation/ Fedora Workstation]<br/>[https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops/ Fedora Atomic]
|x86, ARM<br/><small>and many others</small>
|Independent
|Independent
|GNOME (and others)
|GNOME (and others)
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|x86
|x86
|Fedora Atomic
|Fedora Atomic
|KDE Plasma, GNOME
|Steam Big Picture (for HTPC and handhelds),<br>KDE Plasma, GNOME (for desktop)
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|-
|-
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|x86
|x86
|Arch Linux
|Arch Linux
|GNOME
|Steam Big Picture
|{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|{{✓}} ||{{~}}<ref group="a" name="source-a" />
|-
|-
|[https://store.steampowered.com/steamos SteamOS]<br/><small>HoloISO</small>
|[https://store.steampowered.com/steamos SteamOS]<br><small>HoloISO</small>
|[https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1B71-EDF2-EB6D-2BB3 SteamOS 3.7]<br/>[https://github.com/holoiso-staging/releases HoloISO 1.5]
|[https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1B71-EDF2-EB6D-2BB3 SteamOS 3.7]<br>[https://github.com/holoiso-staging/releases HoloISO 1.5]
|x86
|x86
|Arch Linux
|Arch Linux
|KDE Plasma
|Steam Big Picture<br>KDE Plasma (for desktop use)
|{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|{{✓}} ||{{~}}<ref group="a" name="source-a" />
|-
|-
|[https://github.com/LukeShortCloud/winesapOS winesapOS]
|[https://github.com/LukeShortCloud/winesapOS winesapOS]
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|{{✓}} ||{{TBD}}
|{{✓}} ||{{TBD}}
|-
|-
! colspan="7"|Emulation‑centric
! colspan="7"|Emulation‑centric<ref group="a" name="source-a" />
|-
|-
|[https://batocera.org/ Batocera.linux]
|[https://batocera.org/ Batocera.linux]
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|{{✗}} ||{{TBD}}
|{{✗}} ||{{TBD}}
|}
|}
<references group="a"/>


===Comparisons===
===Comparisons===
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:;Raspberry Pi OS <small>(formerly Raspbian)</small>
:;Raspberry Pi OS <small>(formerly Raspbian)</small>
::Developed for the Raspberry Pi line of single-board computers. Based on Debian, a Linux distribution, it is maintained by Raspberry Pi Holdings and optimized for the Pi's hardware, with low memory requirements and support for both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. Originally released in July 2012 under the name Raspbian, it was introduced shortly after the launch of the first Raspberry Pi model.
::Developed for the Raspberry Pi line of single-board computers. Based on Debian, it is maintained by Raspberry Pi Holdings and optimized for the Pi's hardware, with low memory requirements and support for both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. Originally released in July 2012 under the name Raspbian, it was introduced shortly after the launch of the first Raspberry Pi model.


::;RetroPie
::;RetroPie
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:;Bazzite
:;Bazzite
::A solid choice for gamers and an excellent entry point for Linux newcomers who prioritize gaming. Its image‑based design makes the system stable, secure, and easy to use while delivering top‑tier hardware and game compatibility. Steam arrives pre‑installed, along with NVIDIA drivers, HDR and VRR support, and tuned CPU schedulers for responsive gameplay. A suite of community‑developed tools and tweaks further streamlines the streaming experience. Bazzite shines on x86 handhelds such as the ROG Ally, Legion Go, and HTPC setups. For desktop PCs, it offers a seamless, user‑friendly, and reliable environment—ideal for anyone who wants a hassle‑free experience. More advanced users seeking a less opinionated system and willing to tinker may prefer alternatives like Chimera OS or Nobara.
::A solid choice for gamers and an excellent entry point for Linux newcomers who prioritize gaming. Its image‑based design makes the system stable, secure, and easy to use while delivering top‑tier hardware and game compatibility. Steam arrives pre‑installed, along with NVIDIA drivers, HDR and VRR support, and tuned CPU schedulers for responsive gameplay. A suite of community‑developed tools and tweaks further streamlines the streaming experience. Bazzite shines on x86 handhelds such as the ROG Ally, Legion Go, and HTPC setups. For desktop PCs, it offers a seamless, user‑friendly, and reliable environment—ideal for anyone who wants a hassle‑free experience. More advanced users seeking a less opinionated system and willing to tinker may prefer alternatives like CachyOS or Nobara.


:;Nobara Project
:;Nobara Project
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
|-
!colspan="6"|AOSP<br/><small>[https://www.esper.io/blog/aosp-missing-features-google-gms What does “AOSP Android” really mean?]</small>
! colspan="6" |AOSP<br><small>[https://www.esper.io/blog/aosp-missing-features-google-gms What does “AOSP Android” really mean?]</small>
|-
!Name
!Latest version
!Architecture
!Default Launcher
! scope="col" |Active
![[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
! scope="col"|Name
|GrapheneOS
! scope="col"|Latest version
|https://grapheneos.org/releases
! scope="col"|Architecture
|ARM
! scope="col"|Frontend
|AOSP Launcher|AOSP Launcher
! scope="col"|Active
|{{✓}}
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|{{✓}}
|-
|-
|LineageOS
|LineageOS
|[https://switchroot.org/ 15.1] (<abbr title="based on the Nvidia Shield TV build of LineageOS">[https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/#nvidia Switch]</abbr>)<br/>[https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi3/ <small>Raspberry Pi 3 builds</small>]<br/>[https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi4/ <small>Raspberry Pi 4 builds</small>]<br/>[https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi5/ <small>Raspberry Pi 5 builds</small>]
|[https://switchroot.org/ 15.1] (<abbr title="based on the Nvidia Shield TV build of LineageOS">[https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/#nvidia Switch]</abbr>)<br>[https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi3/ <small>Raspberry Pi 3 builds</small>]<br>[https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi4/ <small>Raspberry Pi 4 builds</small>]<br>[https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi5/ <small>Raspberry Pi 5 builds</small>]
|ARM
|ARM
|Trebuchet
|Trebuchet|Trebuchet  
|{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|{{✓}}
|{{~}}
|}
|}
See the [[Android emulators#Hardware features|Hardware features]] and [[Android emulators#Enhancements|Enhancements]] of sections of [[Android emulators]] for Android-x86 and its forks.
See the [[Android emulators#Hardware features|Hardware features]] and [[Android emulators#Enhancements|Enhancements]] of sections of [[Android emulators]] for Android-x86 and its forks.
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!colspan="6"|Android on x86
!colspan="6"|Android on x86
|-
|-
! scope="col"|Name
!Name
! scope="col"|Latest version
!Latest version
! scope="col"|Architecture
!Architecture
! scope="col"|Frontend
!Default Launcher
! scope="col"|Active
!Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
![[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
|BlissOS
|BlissOS
|[https://blissos.org/index.html#download 16.9.x]
|[https://blissos.org/index.html#download 16.9.x]
|x86
|x86
|Android-x86 fork<br/><small>includes 3 launchers: Taskbar, Quickstep and Smart Dock.</small>
|Android-x86 fork<br><small>includes 3 launchers: Taskbar, Quickstep and Smart Dock.</small>
|{{✓}}<abbr title="BlissOS is the currently maintained + supported + newer kernel + hardware support + up-to-date + featured + open source Android x86 distro.">*</abbr>||{{✓}}
|{{✓}}<abbr title="BlissOS is the currently maintained + supported + newer kernel + hardware support + up-to-date + featured + open source Android x86 distro.">*</abbr>||{{✓}}
|-
|-
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|[https://github.com/yui0/berry-os/releases 2023-02-22]
|[https://github.com/yui0/berry-os/releases 2023-02-22]
|x86
|x86
|Based on Android-x86 and Bliss OS<br/><small>Mini Desktop launcher is pre-installed.</small>
|Based on Android-x86 and Bliss OS<br><small>Mini Desktop launcher is pre-installed.</small>
|{{✓}}||{{✓}}
|{{✓}}||{{✓}}
|-
|-
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|{{~}}<abbr title="Development activity on Android-x86 has significantly slowed down.">*</abbr> ||{{~}}
|{{~}}<abbr title="Development activity on Android-x86 has significantly slowed down.">*</abbr> ||{{~}}
|}
|}
 
{{NEL}}
==Multiplatform-focused==
These Linux distributions provide system development environment experiences on a wide range of platforms, including different hardware architectures.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Latest version
! scope="col"|Architecture
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|[https://t2sde.org/ T2 SDE]
|[https://t2sde.org/download/ 25.4]
|[[POS_(Pong_Consoles)_CPUs_and_Other_Chips|Alpha<br/>Arc<br/>ARM (incl. ARM64)<br/>Avr32<br/>HPPA (incl. HPPA64)<br/>IA64<br/>M68k<br/>MIPS (incl. MIPS64)<br/>Nios2<br/>PowerPC (incl. PowerPC-64 and le)<br/>RISCV (incl. RISCV64)<br/>s390x<br/>SPARC (incl. SPARC64)<br/>SuperH<br/>x86 (incl. x86-64)]]<br/>and theoretically any GCC/Linux supported one.
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|}


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [https://distrowatch.com/ DistroWatch]
* [https://distrowatch.com/ DistroWatch]
* [[wikipedia:List of Linux distributions|List of Linux distributions]] (Wikipedia)
* [[wikipedia:Comparison of Linux distributions|Comparison of Linux distributions]] (Wikipedia)
* [[wikipedia:Comparison of instruction set architectures#Instruction sets|Comparison of instruction set architectures]] (Wikipedia)


[[Category:Linux|*]]
[[Category:Linux]]
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